Today was my second meeting, first with the head of guidance and today with the headmaster of the lower school at a great prep school in this area.
I really want to work with them and provide these financially gifted students something that money can't buy; the images and wisdom that comes from great story and storytellers.
I did a good job selling storytelling as a useful and necessary tool. Then he asked about $$$. I am not going to tell you what I told him, but I will say, I was just too anxious and I cut myself way short. They know I want to work with them and that I am passionate about what I do but still...How? When? will I finally get it and believe it and not hesitate? It's not like I don't need $. (I drive a '93 Accord with 153k miles, very reliable)
This gig could mean more private schools would follow. So it will all work out I know and I can adjust the pricing but stilll...
thanks for letting me rant.

_________________
Mij
www.mijbyram.com
Have I got a Story for you!

I think that this is something that time will help.

I still have clients who've been with me from the very first year. They got a cut rate then because I wanted to have a regular set of gigs each week to hone my skills. They get a cut rate now because I appreciate their loyalty.

At first, it was difficult to figure out what to charge, at least for me. It took my finding out what the going rate was in the area and watching some of those tellers to decide why, yes, I am a good storyteller and that is a fair rate.

Hopefully this will be a stepping off and branching out gig for you!

Stellar

_________________
Lisa Hicks, The Stellar Storyteller

http://lisahicksstoryteller.bravehost.com/index.html
http://www.myspace.com/lisahicksstoryteller
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=791655159

My wife is a storyteller & I handle the business side of things. One of the first things we did was set a standard fee schedule. Having a written fee schedule in advance really takes the awkwardness of having to decide what to charge on the spot. Remember, the fee schedule is only a guide. You will get schools & libraries that can't afford your fee but tell them you can be flexible and you can negotiate a mutually agreeable price. Good Luck.

_________________
Dave Klibanow, Manager
DLWStoryteller, Inc.
(919) 471-3036 phone
(919) 620-6753 fax
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http://www.Donnawashington.com
http://www.wincbooks.com
http://www.bookhive.org

I remember when I was ten, maybe eleven... a neighbor, who happend to be the principal of our local junior high, asked me how much I would charge to mow his lawn. Now, lawn mowing was not what I did to earn extra money so I was totally unaware of the "pricing structure."

My Dad had recently purchased a Snapper riding mower and I had been using it in our yard across the street from my neighbor. I knew how much time it saved over the old, push mower procedure.

I quoted the neighbor a price of 3.00 (three bucks.) When I told my Dad.... he quickly put a STOP to the deal. At the time, I did not really know why. I knew I could mow the neighbors yard in about half-an-hour and I figured 6.00 per hour was pretty good. Dad saw it in another way.

I have relived this event/feeling on several occasions... when I felt that I had "under-priced" my offerings.

One thing that helped me SET my fees was talking to other storytellers who had the same type of venues that I worked in. I asked them what they charged for ONE show, multiple shows, etc. I also asked about residencies/workshops... both one day events and week long events.

I took the information I gathered and, pretty much, set an "average" fee of my own. I do have a set fee, on a fee schedule, that I present to clients and prospective clients... but, on the bottom of the schedule of fees I have a paragraph that simply states. "These fees are my typical fees but they are never written in stone. I will do my best to work within your budget."

90% of my clients pay my scheduled fees. The other 10% I negotiate a fee with.

As for the amount. That all depends on what other tellers in your area are charging and what you determine your market will accept. It takes a little effort and research but, once you hone in on a set fee, things will go a lot smoother.

Best to you,
David Joe

All of this is great advice. It's a lot easier to present a professional and standard form for pricing than it is to go "um...well, uh" when the question of pricing comes up. If you're like me, and it sounds like you are, you'll sell yourself short everytime.

If these students are in fact financially gifted, you should continually remind yourself that in all likelihood they (or their parents or the school) don't think about $150 like you or I think about $150.

Your concern should be the service you're providing. If it is valuable (and it is!), you could say $30 or $300 and it wouldn't make any difference as long as they feel they're treating you fairly. Act like you're worth what you're asking, and this class of folks won't think twice about paying your price.

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http://www.wrensnestonline.com/blog
http://www.wrensnestonline.com

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions, advice and stories.

Tomorrow I have another interview with a similiar school; actually a competing school. I have my programs, my questions, my suggestions AND MY PRICES! I am going to be ready. Live and learn.

Now that I have read the suggested article and talked to others, now that I look back on my original price I don't think that I was that far off after all. I will be sure about it this time.

We'll see if I get a job. I'll let you know.

Thanks again.

_________________
Mij
www.mijbyram.com
Have I got a Story for you!